Y, rabbis weigh in on Sabbath opening accord

By Joel Goldenberg

The Snowdon YM-YWHA Jewish Community Centre began opening on Saturdays this past weekend, and is now operating on that day in adherence to an understanding reached between the Y and local rabbis. However, officially, the rabbis still object to the Y being open on the Sabbath.

The Y’s board of directors voted this past summer to open on Saturdays beginning Oct. 31, even as it has been the Montreal tradition for the Y not to operate on the Jewish Sabbath. Previous votes had rejected the Sabbath opening proposal. Most JCCs in North America are open on Saturdays. From the time of this past summer’s vote, local rabbis had been in negotiation with the Y and recently reached an understanding, which was first revealed in The Suburban and Radio Shalom. The rabbis who met with the Y included Reuben Poupko, Michael Whitman, Asher Jacobson, Sidney Shoham, Chaim Steinmetz and Adam Scheier.

According to the understanding, the cardio room, which requires the use of electricity, will not be open. Also, the restaurant will be closed and no money will be exchanged.

The Y released an official statement detailing the accord last week, saying it welcomed the dialogue with Montreal’s rabbinical leadership. The statement says the gyms, pool and weight room will be open from 7:30 a.m., although the pool will initially be open from 1 p.m. for logistical reasons, to arrange scheduling for the pool staff.

“A working group will begin to consider and formulate a range of programs for Jewish learning that we will implement shortly,” says the Y’s statement. 

Still, the rabbis “continue to feel that any of the exercise activities are a violation of Shabbat,” said Rabbi Whitman, of Adath Israel Poale Zedek Synagogue in Hampstead. “The rabbis recognize that the Y has taken a step to minimize Shabbat infractions. That step does not eliminate Shabbat infractions, but it is at least a step in the right direction. We want to work with the Y to enhance Jewish programming.”

Two statements released last week reflect this feeling. The Montreal Board of Rabbis, which represents “the cross-section of religious movements within the greater Montreal Jewish community,” says it still objects to the Sabbath opening but welcomed the negotiations between the Y and local rabbis.

“This dialogue is consistent with one of the core missions of the MBR, which is to build bridges between all segments of Montreal’s Jewish community, and to foster communal unity,” says their statement.

The MBR is also encouraging “all Montreal Jews to consult with their own rabbi regarding the details of Shabbat observance.
“The dialogue between rabbis and the JCC’s leadership preserves the unity of the Montreal Jewish community, promotes respect for Shabbat, and facilitates a partnership for enhanced Jewish programming at the JCC.”

The Rabbinical Council of Canada released a similar statement, also saying that while it still objects to the Saturday opening and calls on local Jews to “strengthen its bond with the sacred day of Shabbat (Sabbath).”

“The RCC has committed itself, with the full and willing acceptance of the JCC leadership, to be involved, with the JCC, in enhancing Jewish programming and transmitting the values and traditions of our sacred heritage.”

However, the Jewish Community Council of Montreal, who sources say were “sidelined” during the negotiation process, is not agreeing with the compromise. The organization is best known for issuing certifications for restaurants and other enterprises that serve and sell  Kosher food, as well as arbitration regarding commercial matters and divorces.

“We strongly declare that Shabbos is not open to compromise,” said their statement. “The Master of the Universe instructed us to protect and safeguard the holiest of days, and neither we nor any other human being has the power to compromise.”